Some islanders have to remove freshly constructed nests from their engine compartments every day.

Because of the lack of trees, birds on Orkney lay their eggs in any dry space they can find.

Experts at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds believe starlings have come to view cars as a safe haven. A spokeswoman for RSPB Scotland said: “Starlings will exploit potential nesting opportunities offered to them.

“We don’t know for sure, but it’s possible that one group of birds has just happened to learn that cars provide this and they also just happen to be birds that live in Orkney.

“We would urge car owners to check under their bonnets regularly.

“Bird nests are protected by law, but if it’s just too inconvenient to allow the birds to carry on, it may be possible to get a licence from Scottish Natural Heritage to remove it.”